"Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein"

The most beloved horror/comedy movie ever has to be Universal's 1948 classic, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. As tomorrow is Halloween, this post is most appropriate for the occasion.

Here, the comics meet with the studios classic monsters. It was the last appearance of the monsters (their swan song). 

The monsters were: Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man and Glenn Strange as Frankenstein's Monster. There is also as "cameo" (although you couldn't see him) by the Invisible Man voiced by Vincent Price. Each played their roles straight.

My mom told me that when the movie was released, she and a girlfriend saw it in Inglewood, California in a theater. I am guessing that it was either the Academy Theater or it could have been the Fifth Avenue Theater. Both were located in the city. My mom would have been fifteen years old at the time. 

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was a regular Halloween movie on KNXT's (later KCBS) on the 4:00 Early Show movie in Los Angeles. This used to get kids definitely in the mood to go out trick or treating later. 

Here's the late David J. Skal hosting a featurette of making of the movie:

A bit of trivia: Bobby Barber and Frank Ferguson both appeared in the Adventures of Superman and were in this movie.

Quicksand In Popular Recreation Area

Above, Frankenstein's monster (Glenn Strange) and Dr. Niemann (Boris
Karloff) in quicksand in House of Frankenstein (1944). Universal Pictures.

When I was a kid, it seemed like a lot of movies of that era had a fixation on quicksand. One in particular was not really quicksand, but rather a way to trap humans into an alien spaceship. That movie was Invaders From Mars (1953). It was creepy.

The National Park Service has issued a warning about quicksand at a popular recreational area.

RV Travel posted the following:

The National Park Service is warning travelers heading to public lands in the Southwest about a potential hazard they may not expect: quicksand. Officials at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans the Utah–Arizona border, say quicksand has recently been found near shorelines and in drainage areas throughout the park. Be careful!

Dracula's Relationship Advice?

Above, Glenn Strange, Lenore Aubert and Bela Lugosi in Abbott
and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). Universal Pictures photo.

Some years ago, J. D. Lees and I would be doing something at G-FEST, either setting up stuff or taking down stuff. While we were doing so, we would be rattling off dialog lines from Universal Pictures monster movies (Frankenstein, Dracula, etc.). 

This would puzzle nearby onlookers with thoughts of,  "How could we be rattling off Universal monster dialog lines at a Godzilla convention?" It was a lot of good fun. 

Yesterday, during some email exchanges, J. D. and I got onto the subject of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (a favorite movie for both of us), which starred Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Chaney as the Wolf Man and Glenn Strange as the Frankenstein Monster. He told me how he would use some of the movie's dialog with his daughters. The lines were pretty funny when applied to real life situations.

I had one of my own that I came up with about six years ago. I had to go into Gallup yesterday to pick up a case of Alien Amber Ale and it popped into my head along the way. When I got to the market, I sent J. D. an email.

It was adapted from lines Dracula (Lugosi) was saying to Dr. Sandra Mornay (Lenore Aubert) about the Monster (Strange) getting a new brain (Costello's).

I wrote:

For getting back with a wife or girlfriend, "This time she must have no will of her own. No fiendish intellect to oppose her master!"

J. D. wrote back:

That's hilarious!!! I'm glad to see also that you have no illusions about future relationships. - J.

J. D.'s wife Ruth also got a big kick out of it, he later told me.

Sound advice from the Count?

1960s L.A. Halloween Tradition

Above, a publicity still of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello with Glenn Strange
for Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Universal Pictures photo.

Since we're a week away from Halloween, I thought I'd post a little L.A. television history. I've posted about this before, but to paraphrase Universal Pictures, "A good Halloween tradition is worth repeating."

Back in the early 1960s, before late afternoon (between 3:00 and 6:00) television airtime was taken over by local and network news, stations in Los Angeles had kid shows and movies.

On KABC Channel 7, the Six O'Clock Movie was broadcast. Over on KNXT (later KCBS) Channel 2, it was The Early Show movie.

On Halloween The Early Show played Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) whenever Halloween fell on a weekday without fail. It was definitely a Halloween tradition in Los Angeles. It set a good spooky mood for trick or treaters before they headed out into the night. 

That ended when KNXT ended The Early Show to give way for news broadcasts. 

Thanks to advent of VHS tapes and DVD/Blu-ray discs, we can relive those days, provided one has a copy of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein in their video libraries.

A Happy Glenn Strange

Until I saw this posted on Facebook, I don't think I've ever seen this photo of Glenn Strange with some gals. It appears to have been taken in 1948 during the production of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. It is definitely a Bud Westmore make-up job.

Obviously, all seem to be having a very good time.

 

Almost Like Quicksand

Something unexpected happened today while mowing Barking Spider Acre.

I was proceeding along and got to about halfway done with mowing when the mower got stuck in mud. The ground where the mud was looked like the rest of the field, so with that and the fact that I was wearing goggles that distorted my view, the mower was stuck.

Above, the car and mower were stuck in the dark area at the
center of the photo above the gravel road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Then I got the "brainy" idea to use the car to push the mower out of the mud. Bad idea. The car got stuck, too.

Thankfully, Bo was home across the street and came over with "Edith", his tractor. He, along with my next-door neighbor, James, were able to get the car and mower out of the mud.

Above, the mower after getting it out of the mud. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

James said that the area got a lot of heavy rains this past week and it collected in the area of the acre. It must have been about 6 to 8 inches deep (maybe more). There's a lot of topsoil there. It came up to the bottom of the car's body. The car seemed to sink as if it were in quicksand. That made me think of the ending of House of Frankenstein.

Well, this is one ex-city slicker who learned a valuable lesson. 

I'll have to wait a few days (hopefully the area will dry sufficiently) before attempting to finish mowing.

Nothing like country living!

A 1960s Halloween Tradition

Above, a publicity still of Abbott and Costello with the monsters.

Since tomorrow is Halloween, I thought I would recount a tradition that took place every year on Halloween in Los Angeles in the 1960s.

Back before the local news gobbled up air time, the CBS affiliate in L.A., KNXT Channel 2 (now KCBS), had late afternoon movies starting at 4:00 called The Early Show.

Above, the Monster with Bud and Lou in another publicity still.

Each Halloween, The Early Show broadcast the 1948 comedy-horror classic, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. This movie marked the final appearance of Universal's classic monsters: Frankenstein's monster (Glenn Strange), Dracula (Bela Lugosi) and the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.). It also featured a "cameo" of the Invisible Man (Vincent Price). Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was the perfect way to have Halloween dinner before going out trick or treating for kids.

This annual Halloween tradition went on for many years in the 1960s until the expanded local news broadcasts eliminated The Early Show. It was fun while it lasted.

Above, a display of Bud and Lou with the Monster
 at a Monsterpalooza show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Interestingly, while the movie was first released on June 15, 1948, a sneak preview of the movie was held in (nearby to me) Inglewood, California at the Academy Theater on May 18, 1948.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was the final movie Bela Lugosi appeared in for a major movie studio.

Above, the Academy Theater in Inglewood in the 1940s. 

My mother told me that she and a friend saw it at a theater during its release.

35th Anniversary of Glenn Strange's Passing

Thanks to Bryan Kendrick at the Universal Horror Films Facebook page, today is the 35th anniversary of the passing of actor Glenn Strange (August 16, 1899 – September 20, 1973).

He played the Frankenstein Monster in three films and was in many westerns. He was Sam the bartender on television's Gunsmoke.

I remember his passing as it was around the time I was down in San Diego at the Town & Country Hotel for the California Republican Party State Convention.

Some Glenn Strange photo mementos at the Valley Relics Museum:

T + L: How To Survive Quicksand

Above, Frankenstein's Monster (Glenn Strange) and Dr. Niemann (Boris
Karloff) could have used a few tips from the Travel + Leisure article.

There's been a lot of movies over the years that featured quicksand. In those movies, unless someone pulls out the victim, he/she is a goner.

But that's really a myth as an article by Travel + Leisure points out. The article also tells out to get out of quicksand.

They begin with:

Quicksand seems like a rare hazard found only in the jungle based off the movies, but it’s more common than one might think. The liquefied soil can also be spotted on riverbanks, coastlines and marshes. And while you really will start to sink if you’re entrapped in the substance, don’t worry — you can, and probably will, survive.

Interesting article! Dr. Gustav Niemann and Frankenstein's Monster could have used the tips provided in the article as they ended up in quicksand at the end of House of Frankenstein.

To read more, go here. 

Glenn "Pee Wee" Strange At Valley Relics Museum

Above, Glenn Strange as Sam the bartender on Gunsmoke. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last month, I attended the Election Night party of Mark Reed, the Republican candidate for congress in the San Fernando Valley. It was held in the Valley Relics Museum.

The museum has loads of artifacts spanning years of history in the San Fernando Valley.

It also holds some memorabilia of different celebrities. One of them was actor Glenn Strange, best known as Sam the bartender on television's Gunsmoke and as the Frankenstein Monster in three of Universal's monster rallies of the 1940s. Strange was featured in many westerns during the course of his career.

Monster movie fans will want to visit the Valley Relics Museum just to see the Glenn Strange memorabilia. They have plenty of other items on display to satisfy history buffs.

Here's a few photos of them:

Above, a collection of Glenn Strange Frankenstein memorabilia. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a closer-in view of Glenn Strange Frankenstein memorabilia. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a collection of Glenn Strange's western memorabilia. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a photo of Strange singing with The Duke in Westward Ho. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more information on the Valley Relics Museum, go here.

Valley Relics Museum Artifacts

For those of you who are into historical things, here's another batch of photos taken at GOP candidate Mark Reed's Election Night party at the Valley Relics Museum.

Above, the sign from the White Horse Inn that used to be at White Oak Av. and Roscoe Blvd. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the S & H Green Stamps sign. My parents saved them and were able to get furniture items. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the rival to Green Stamps. My parents also saved them as well. Good as money! Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a flag from Corriganville, a major movie ranch in the San Fernando Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Love's and and Bob's Big Boy signs. Love's is gone (had great bar-b-que meals). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Glenn Strange Frankenstein memorabilia. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Duke (left) and Glenn Strange (right). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a neon Mustang sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an early version of Bob's Big Boy. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an ashtray from the Fireside Inn (where I used to have lunch back in the 1980s) in Encino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To see the Valley Relics Museum website, go here.

Election Night At The Valley Relics Museum

Above, candidate Mark Reed (center) is flanked by one of his supporters (left) and Armand. 

The GOP blew out the Democrats in Congress. They picked up at least seven seats to regain control of the U.S. Senate and added about 10 more seats to their majority in the House of Representatives.

I spent the night at the Election Night party of Republican congressional candidate Mark Reed (he didn't make it, but at this point, he is polling better than the last time he faced Rep. Brad Sherman). The party was held in an interesting place: The Valley Relics Museum in Chatsworth.

There's a lot of relics of businesses and personalities who once populated the San Fernando Valley. There was a lot of memorabilia of Nuta Kotlyarenko, known professionally as Nudie Cohn (or "Nudie"), He made the gold suit worn by Elvis Presley and rinestone cowboy outfits worn by Robert Redford, Roy Rogers and others. His car was on display. There were many neon signs from long-gone businesses, most of them were lit up.

There were also a lot of photographs of actor Glenn Strange, who played the Frankenstein monster in three Universal movies as well as many westerns, including the television series Gunsmoke as Sam the bartender.

I think I spent more time roaming around the museum looking at the artifacts than following the election returns. The best of both worlds: politics and history.

Here's some photos of the museum (more will be posted later):

Above, the neon sign of The Palomino nightclub. The club was
featured in two Clint Eastwood ape movies. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Nudie's Cadillac. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a collection of Glenn Strange monster photos. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a collection of Glenn Strange western movie memorabilia. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an old road sign for the Iverson Movie Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the gold lamé suit worn by Elvis Presley that was created by Nudie. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the menu sign from Henry's Tacos. Note the prices. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, two drive-in theater speakers. Remember drive-in theaters? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an old Pacific Telephone phone booth. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, The Lone Ranger and Vice President Richard Nixon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Nudie's Cadillac. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Jane Adams, R.I.P.

Above, Jane Adams in "The Ghost Wolf" episode of the Adventures of Superman in 1951.

Jane Adams, best known to genre fans as Nina, the hunchbacked lab assistant in Universal's House of Dracula (1945) and as Babette in the 1951 "The Ghost Wolf" episode of the Adventures of Superman, has died.

She passed away May 21 in Bellingham, Washington.

Above, Jane Adams and Glenn Strange in House of Dracula in 1945.

She was born Betty Jane Bierce in San Antonio, Texas on August 7, 1918 (or 1921, depending upon the source).

She also played Vicki Vale in the 1949 serial, Batman and Robin with Robert Lowery as Batman/Bruce Wayne.

House of Frankenstein

Above, Frankenstein's Monster (Glenn Strange) with an injured Dr. Niemann (Boris Karloff).

With the blistering heat in the triple-digits in Los Angeles today (I heard it reached 113 degrees in downtown L.A.) and being secure in my air-conditioned apartment, I was in the mood to watch the sixth Frankenstein movie in Universal Pictures' franchise, House of Frankenstein (1944). So, I got out my Frankenstein Legacy Collection DVD set and watched.

House of Frankenstein was directed by Erle C. Kenton and it starred Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., J. Carrol Naish, Glenn Strange, and John Carradine.

This was the follow-up movie to Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man. In this one, Karloff plays an evil scientist, Gustav Niemann, seeking revenge on those who sent him to prison for 15 years with a hunchbacked assistant (Naish) named Daniel.

After killing the owner of a traveling horror show (George Zucco) to use the show as a way to "hide out in the open," Niemann uses Count Dracula (Carradine) to kill a burgomaster who was involved in sending him to prison. Following this, Lawrence Talbot (the Wolf Man) (Chaney), and Frankenstein's Monster (Strange) are freed from a glacial ice cavern. Karloff convinces Chaney to locate the Frankenstein records as a means to free him of his werewolf curse.

Naturally, Niemann is more interested in revenge (he kidnapped two more men who were instrumental for his imprisonment) and wants to use the brains of Talbot and the Monster as part of his scheme (involving brain transplants). Unfortunately, his scheming causes Niemann to breach faith with Daniel and Talbot. The Wolf Man ends up killing a gypsy girl (Elena Verdugo) who Daniel fell in love with. During her struggle with the Wolf Man, the gypsy girl fires a silver bullet into the Wolf Man, seemingly killing him.

In grief over the gypsy's death, Daniel begins to strangle Niemann. This arouses rage in the Monster, who was whipped earlier by Daniel while weak and helpless. The Monster frees himself from the restraining straps (at full strength after being re-charged by Niemann) on the operating table and proceeds to pick up Daniel like a doll and throw him through a window to his death.

While all this was going on, the villagers (out hunting for the werewolf) come to the laboratory and drive the Monster (who is carrying the injured Niemann) into a quicksand bog where they sink and disappear.

While not one of the best of the Universal Frankensteins, House of Frankenstein was still an entertaining entry.